This project is supported by the NSF STEM+Computing (STEM+C) program, which advances applied research integrating computational thinking and computing activities within disciplinary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching and learning in early childhood education through high school (preK-12). This particular project integrates computation into high school physics courses. The proposed work aims to rectify the mismatch between what is needed to engage students in 21st-century physics and what is taught presently in high school physics classrooms. By working with and supporting physics teachers to integrate computation into their classrooms in authentic and equitable ways, this project aims to address this challenge.
A central aspect of this work is broadening participation in computation to students from historically marginalized groups and studying how teaching practices can lead to more equitable participation in computation.
The project is a research-practice partnership between university researchers in science education, curriculum developers and researchers in physics, and high school physics teachers in Michigan. The researchers are committed to integrating computation in high school physics and studying its effects in classrooms on learning, practice, and equity.